A gunman opened fire at Florida State University, killing two people and injuring six others. Both victims were fathers with strong ties to the campus and local community.
On April 17, 2025, a shooting took place at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Two men were killed in the attack before the gunman was taken into custody. The victims have been identified as Robert Morales of Miami-Dade County and Tiru Chabba of Greenville, South Carolina.
Morales was a South Florida native and a well-known figure in Tallahassee’s food community. He was a Florida State University graduate and a longtime employee. He served as the university’s dining coordinator for nearly ten years.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he has also held the role of CEO at Black Bean Food Group since 2004. He previously worked as an assistant football coach at Leon High School, just a mile from campus. Morales helped found Gordos Cuban Cuisine, a well-known restaurant in Tallahassee.
You deserved better
Robert. Thank you for being in my life. pic.twitter.com/pIds98nFbI— Ricardo Morales Jr. (@Rick714Canes) April 18, 2025
He often prepared Cuban meals and pastries for university staff and once worked closely with chefs to provide allergen-safe meals for a student with severe dietary restrictions.
Florida State University Vice President Kyle Clark said at a campus vigil, “He made our dining experience feel like home for every student, especially those from South Florida.” Clark added, “He didn’t just do the job. He lived the job.”
On the day of the shooting, Morales had planned to meet his longtime friend Carlos Cruz and Cruz’s son at the student union, something they did regularly on Thursdays. However, Cruz’s son stayed in his dorm that day instead.
After sheltering in place, students seen leaving the area with their hands above their heads: pic.twitter.com/AlORAv6TQy
— Forrest Saunders (@FBSaunders) April 17, 2025
Cruz, who has known Morales and his family for over 30 years, praised Morales’s passion for Cuban cuisine and his ability to grow Gordos into a thriving enterprise. “That passion for cuisine and Cuban food was just taken to the next level, because now here he is helping to run a multi, multi, multi million dollar operation and deciding who and what gets into the university,” Cruz said.
Celebrity chef Art Smith, who had worked with Morales, described him as “a lovely and joyful man. Full of joy and energy, very sweet.” His older brother, Ricardo Morales Jr., confirmed the tragedy on X. The post included throwback photos of Morales from his childhood.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤Today we lost my younger Brother, He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I’m glad you were in my Life. ❤️
Him with our Dad on the left and with our other Brother Sister, Gma and cousin. pic.twitter.com/cD24kEZBSU— Ricardo Morales Jr. (@Rick714Canes) April 18, 2025
In a later post, he shared more photos of his deceased brother. A GoFundMe page launched by friends and colleagues to support Morales’ family states that he leaves behind his wife, Betty Morales, and their daughter. As of April 19, more than $60,000 has been raised toward the $90,000 goal.
The second victim, Tiru Chabba, was 45 years old and a father of two. He lived in Greenville, South Carolina, and worked as a regional vice president for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. He had been with Aramark for more than two decades and held several roles across operations and finance.
On the day of the shooting, Chabba was on campus in his capacity as a vendor employee. In a statement issued to People magazine, an Aramark spokesperson said, “We are heartbroken to confirm that an Aramark employee was among those killed at FSU yesterday in that senseless act of violence. We are absolutely shaken by the news.”
Attorneys representing Chabba’s family confirmed his identity and said they intend to hold accountable anyone responsible for the shooting.
At Friday’s vigil, Clark closed his remarks with a tribute to both men. He stated, “These two individuals were more than just names. They were deeply loved, and their absences leave a void that cannot be filled.”
The shooting was the sixth mass shooting in Florida this year and the 81st in the United States in 2025. The investigation into the attack is ongoing.
